2016 Overnight Trip Schedule

After a 7-year hiatus, the past two years we've again offered Memorial Day weekend trips to Shenandoah National Park, home of the loveliest scenery of the Northern Virginia Blue Ridge -- where one often finds acres of blooming mountain laurel, many miles of rushing streams with waterfalls, and some splendid mountain vistas from an assortment of trails. Last year we camped and hiked in the northern part of the park, and this year for the first time we'll be visiting a scenic area a few miles north of last year's. Water is often an issue in this park, since the best camping is at higher elevations where water is scarce (access is via the Skyline Drive). The good news is that this year we'll be camping close to a beautiful mountain stream -- hiking in with backpacks 2-3 miles on hilly trails, setting up camp, and taking day hikes each day. Hiking possibilities range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Among the scenic highlights nearby are some spectacular waterfalls in the impressive gorge known as Little Devils Stairs, and terrific vistas from Hogback Mountain All day hikes are optional, and anyone who wishes may spend one or more days relaxing at our campsite. Departure will be Friday morning (early morning for those traveling with us from NYC, and around mid-day for those meeting us in the park) and we'll be leaving the park by mid-morning on Monday (Memorial Day). If you need to cancel, cash refunds are available (minus a $125 cancellation fee) through 2/27/16; after that date, credit for future trips is possible only if your space can be filled. In the past our Shenandoah trips have often filled well in advance (we've had a waiting list the past 2 years), so early reservations are highly recommended -- group size is limited to 10. Calls and e-mails to check on space are welcome up to the time of the trip. Transportation from NYC is available at no extra cost for those who need it (or you may meet us in Virginia). Fee for members: $450 (Member-driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $225, with gas & toll costs reimbursed). Non-members: $550 (Non-member driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $325, with gas & toll costs reimbursed).

On this July 4th weekend trip we'll be returning to the far western part of the famous 192,000-acre High Peaks Wilderness in the spectacular 6,000,000-acre Adirondack Park, home to more wilderness than any other park in the eastern United States. We first visited this area on July 4th weekend two years ago. Terrain here is much gentler than in the eastern part of the wilderness (where the highest mountains are). We'll be hiking in with backpacks around 4 mostly easy but hilly miles to camp near the splendidly scenic and wild 146-mile-long Raquette River. Our campsite will be a few minutes from some small river waterfalls and many roaring rapids, along with calmer stretches of river suitable for swimming. Day hike options on our 2nd and 3rd days will include exploring several miles of trails that run alongside or near the river, and other trails that lead deeper into the wilderness. Aside from hiking and swimming, other options include spending one or more days relaxing by the river. Departure will be Friday morning (early morning for those traveling with us from NYC, and mid-day for those meeting us in the park) and we'll be leaving the park by late morning on Monday (July 4th). If you need to cancel, cash refunds are available (minus a $125 cancellation fee) through 4/1/16; after that date, credit for future trips is possible only if your space can be filled. Group size is limited to 9 people, and early reservations are highly recommended (our previous trip here filled in advance). Calls or e-mails to check on space are welcome up to the time of the trip. Transportation from NYC is available at no extra cost for those who need it (or you may meet us in the Adirondack Park). Fee for members: $450 (Member-driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $225, with gas & toll costs reimbursed). Non-members: $550 (Non-member driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $325, with gas & toll costs reimbursed)..

​When's the last time you spent a whole week in a spectacular and remote wilderness area? Plan now to be with us as we re-visit -- for the first time in 5 years -- one of the most magnificent areas of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park, which is as large as the state of Vermont and has scenery as wild and lovely as anywhere in the East. On this 8-day trip we'll be traversing remote "Cold River Country" on foot with backpacks, hiking 36 (completely roadless) miles of the famous 132-mile Northville-Placid Trail through the north-central Adirondacks, averaging a few miles a day and probably taking at least one rest day (with additional hiking options for more ambitious participants). We'll be hiking for 2-3 days alongside the gorgeous Cold River, which features many wild rapids, waterfalls, extraordinary rock formations, and natural swimming pools -- and also passing lovely mountain lakes, ponds, and other streams with waterfalls. Most of the trail is easy but there are substantial hills and rough spots, and probably blowdowns (fallen trees to get around). Unlimited swimming is available! Departure will be on Wednesday morning, 7/27 (early morning for the NYC group, mid-day for those meeting us in the park), and we'll be leaving the woods by late morning the following Wednesday, 8/3. If you need to cancel, cash refunds are available (minus a $150 cancellation fee) through 4/27/16; after that date, credit for future trips is possible only if your space can be filled. Group size is limited to 9 people, and early reservations are highly recommended. Calls or e-mails to check on space are welcome up to the time of the trip. Fee includes transportation from NYC for those who need it (or you may meet us in the Adirondacks). Fee for members: $695 (Member-driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $275). Non-members: $795 (Non-member driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $375).

Be with us on Labor Day Weekend (4 days) as we return to the lovely Siamese Ponds Wilderness of the Adirondacks, where one finds 67 lakes and ponds, many small mountains, and other magnificent wild scenery. This will be our first visit in several years to the northern part of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness, which features an array of scenic lakes and ponds and a branch of the Sacandaga River. We'll be hiking in 3-4 easy miles with backpacks, camping near a beautiful mountain stream, and taking easy to moderate day hikes. Possible hiking destinations include an assortment of lovely lakes and ponds, some of them accessible by easy trails, and also the option of a steep climb to the top of rugged Chimney Mountain (2,721 ft.). Swimming in nearby (lake-size) Hour Pond and Puffer Pond will be available as well, and those who wish may spend one or more days relaxing at our campsite. Departure will be Friday morning (early morning for those traveling with us from NYC, and late morning for those meeting us in the park) and we'll be leaving the park by mid-day Monday. If you need to cancel, cash refunds are available (minus a $125 cancellation fee) through 6/2/16; after that date, credit for future trips is possible only if your space can be filled. Group size is limited to a maximum of 9 people and early reservations are highly recommended. Calls or e-mails to check on space are welcome up to the time of the trip. Transportation from NYC is available at no extra cost for those who need it (or you may meet us in the Adirondack Park). Fee for members: $450 (Member-driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $225, with gas & toll costs reimbursed). Non-members: $550 (Non-member driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $325, with gas & toll costs reimbursed).

Level: EASY-MODERATE HIKE​Join us for 4 days over Columbus Day weekend in the splendid 50,000-acre wilderness area southeast of huge and famous Big Moose Lake, in the western Adirondacks, which we last visited 3 years ago -- a place of small mountains and no fewer than 64 lovely lakes and ponds, in some of the wildest and most spectacular country of the eastern US -- but the area is visited far less frequently than many other wilderness areas. We'll be walking in 4-5 miles with backpacks over mostly easy but very hilly trails to camp near one of the lakes, and then taking easy to moderate day hikes each day, all of which are optional. You could also choose to spend one or more days relaxing by the lake, and swimming is another possible option. This is fall foliage time in the Adirondacks, and the colors are often splendid here on Columbus Day weekend. It will also be our final camping trip of the year. Departure will be Friday morning (early morning for those traveling with us from NYC, and late morning for those meeting us in the park) and we'll be leaving the park by mid-day Monday (Columbus Day). If you need to cancel, refunds are available through July 7, 2016 (minus a $125 cancellation fee). After 7/7/16 credit for future trips is possible only if your space can be filled. Group size is limited to 9 people, and early reservations are highly recommended. Calls or e-mails to check on space are welcome up to the time of the trip. Transportation from NYC is available at no extra cost for those who need it (or you may meet us in the Adirondack Park). Fee for members: $450 (Member-driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $225, with gas & toll costs reimbursed). Non-members: $550 (Non-member driver with car who can take passengers from Manhattan: $325, with gas & toll costs reimbursed).